F? C? Okay, I give...when folks talk about breed lines:

[Wynette]

What does the "F" and "C" mean? I've seen ads for "C1" lines and "F3" lines, etc. I've been trying to find info. on it, and am running into a wall.

I have chickens that were hatched from eggs I got directly from a very reputable breeder. I'm guessing that would make my chickens "F1" but I'm not sure. Any help's appreciated. Thanks!

 

[mom'sfolly]

F1 = first generation crosses
F2 = second generation crosses

I don't know what the C would stand for. Lines can also be backcrossed; that is a F1 or F2 individual is bred back to the parent or grandparent.

 

[Wynette]

Thanks, mom's...I'm still a bit confused, though. The number behind the F, for example, would be how many "daughters" (generations) were bred back to the original roo?

 

[mom'sfolly]

It been a while but I think this is the way it goes:

P1= parent generation
F1=children
F2=grandchildren, crosses of the F1 generation
F3=great grandchildren, crosses of the F2 generation

Back crosses would be F3 x P1 or F3 x F1. Line breeding can define a desired characteristic faster, but it will also show any lethal or bad gene faster. Many animals are line breed with out crossing to improve the stock.
Out crossing would be crossing any generation to a different line.